(Paris) Like the Olympic Games, the Australian Open tennis tournament will introduce an opening ceremony, to which legends like Roger Federer will be invited, who will inaugurate this new tradition on January 17, the eve of the start of the tournament, the organizers announced on Thursday.
“Launching the first Grand Slam of the year, this special event will be an opportunity to pay tribute to the great champions who have shaped tennis, to the passionate fans they have inspired and to the incredible legacy they continue to build,” explains the Australian Open organization in a press release.
Roger Federer, six times crowned in Melbourne, will be the star guest at the first edition of this opening ceremony, before the main draw matches (January 18-1er FEBRUARY).
The Swiss, aged 44, will be surrounded by other tennis glories such as Andre Agassi, four-time winner of the tournament, and Australians Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt, to play a match between former world number ones.
“It seems like an eternity since I coined the phrase ‘Happy Slam’ for the Australian Open, and it still makes me smile when I think back to all the moments I’ve had here,” Roger Federer was quoted as saying in the press release.
“I experienced so many emotions at Rod Laver Arena… the joy of lifting the trophy six times, the honor of playing in front of Rod Laver himself, the challenge of competing against my greatest opponents, and always the unconditional love and support of the Australian fans,” said the 20-time Grand Slam winner.
